New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-14
WY AMERICANS FAVOR HOME RULE.

Why AMEKICANS FAPOR HOME hCLH'
American sympathy with the mother coun-
try, in all its struggles and difficulties, is sin
cere and hearty. Surely, new proof OF that
fact Is not now needed. But American opin-
ions in regard to the right solution OF those
difficulties docs not at all points agree with
British opinion, and that is natural. The two
countries have governments based upon rad
icallv different principles. Just as our Eng
lish cousins naturally judge this country in the
light Of English institutions and customs so
Americans cannot help regarding English prob
lens in the light of that complete and absolute
triumnh Of self-governing principles which
to the people Of this country seems to secure
them a better and stronger government than
anv other on earth
British comments on the recent presenta-
ton to Mr.. Gladstone and his renlv appear
to be generally conceived in ignorance and
forgetfulness Of this radical difference between
the two nations. They 90 upon the SUPPOSE
ton that intelligent, thoughtful and law
resnecting Americans cannot sympathize with
the Irish cause. Yet the fact is that neariv
all Americans are apt to think that self-gov-
eminent for Ireland would be good Tor the
people Of Ireland, and for the people OF Eng
land also. The American pre-judgment IL
instinctivelv and naturally In favor OF HON"
rule. It works well here, and the different
States, each with neculiar interests and needs
attain better government on the whole under
that method than could be attained in anv
other way: WHY should it not work well else
where? The Irish born citizens Of this cOun-
try are numerous and active. Their aid in
developing the industries and resources OF
this country has been important. Their hearty
patriotism during the civil war sent many
excellent regiments to the front to fight for
the Union, and gave the Renublic some OF Its
best and most heroic defenders. Other Amer-
cans not seldom differ from lrish-born citizens
in regard to many questions of domestic policy.
but a proposition to disfranchise the lI1sh
voters in this country, as persons not fit Tor
sef-governrnent would meet with exceedingly
few supporters.
1t Is natural for Americans to reason that,
if these citizens are fit for self-government
here, they would be equally fit in the land Of
their nativitv-the land which they love so
fcrvently. They make mistakes here and
would doubtless there, but are infinitely more
useful with freedom and share Of the gov
ernng power than they would he without;
WhV not In ireland also 10 int suSEcSti"''
that tendency toward dsintcgration would
thus be strengthened in the British Empire,
the American. naturally answers that Irish
citizens in this country are ardent defenders
of the Union; their influence is not for tho
separation Of any State or fragment, even
where they have a predominating influence
At all points the natural argument OF Amer
cans is the same /: Irsh-born men make good
citizens here and are fit for home rule here;
why not in IrelandP
1t is not the purpose to blink the fact that
resistance to Engl sh rule in Ireland has led
to MANY crimes which American opinion does
not excuse But while condemning in no
measured terms the conduct Of some Irish
men there and here, Americans are swift to
conclude that the only true remedy is more
freedom. The most desperate and least re-
sponsble and worthy men have greater influ-
ence where there is a sense Of injustice t"
which they can appeal. To the denial OF
home rule in Ireland, Americans are prone to
attribute most Of the disorders and the Offences
which excite English indignation. English
men cannot agree with this opinion, but it Is
due to them that they should not be deceived
about the fact. 1t is most natural that AIneri-
cans should regard home rule in Ireland as
the best and only lasting solution Of the
Irish question.